SENATOR KELLY brought SB 348 (LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS) before the committee as the final order of business. CRAIG INGHAM, representing the Alaska Bankers Association and testifying from Fairbanks, stated their opposition to SB 348. The legislation would change the Limited Partnership Act, which has been adopted by the State of Alaska, by providing for an exception as to joint and civil liability of partners. The association feels that with the bill, in its current form, poses significant risk to the general public who may be doing business with a registered limited liability partnership. The association also believes that the law could be interpreted quite broadly and could result in the partnership being able to deplete the access of the partnership and leave creditors high and dry. Number 248 ROD LIND, Alaska Society of CPA's, testifying from Anchorage, said a limited liability partnership is, in fact, a general partnership with one change, and that change is that a partner in a limited liability partnership is not personally liable for the misconduct of another partner. The partnership itself continues to be subject to all claims. He pointed out that no one from the public has objected to this change, and he questioned if the banking community should decide what form of business individuals can operate. Number 280 SENATOR KELLY stated that because committee members had other committee meetings to attend, SB 348 would be back before the committee at its next meeting. There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.